Cleaning device

ABSTRACT

A dustpan or tray having a front edge to be held against the surface to be cleaned and the dirt or debris is adapted to be swept across the front edge into the pan. A resilient roller is mounted for rotation on the under surface of the pan and extends generally parallel to the front edge. The roller aids in positioning the front edge at the proper angle during sweeping of debris into the pan and, after sweeping, the roller is adapted to be rolled over the ridge of residual dirt remaining on the surface. The residual dirt clings to the roller so that all of the residual dirt can be removed.

United States Patent 1 1 3,597,785

[72] Inventor Norman lllindn [$6] ReienncesCited 2| A I N r gl' 'g UNITED STATES PATENTS f MM 969 488,562 12 1 92 Holden l5/(LlNT) H5] Patented Aug 0'19" 926,927 7/1909 061/01 .7 .2 15/2572 ml Am nee "M 1.355.577 10/1920 Sperling 1. /2577 3 wk 1,659.46] 2/l928 Curran 15/2572 a part interest Primary Examiner-George F. Mautz Assistant ExaminerGregory A. Walters Attorney-Andrus, Sceales, Starke & Sawall ABSTRACT: A dustpan or tray having a front edge to be held CLEANING DEVICE against the surface to be cleaned and the dirt or debris is 7 China s Dn'hg Figs adapted to be swept across the front edge into the pan. [52] US. Cl. IS/LS, A resilient roller is mounted for rotation on the under surlS/IOS face of the pan and extends generally parallel to the front [51] lnt.Cl A47! B140, edge. The roller aids in positioning the front edge at the A47l 13/52 proper angle during sweeping of debris into the pan and, after [50] Field of Search 15/2512, sweeping, the roller is adapted to be rolled over the ridge of 257.3. 257.4;257], I049, 104.94, I05, l05.05, residual dirt remaining on the surface. The residual dirt clings A, L5 to the roller so that all of the residual dirt can be removed.

Patented Aug. 10, 1971 y- 5 Normg n f r 'l da Attorneys CLEANING DEVICE This invention relates to a cleaning device and more particularly to an improved dustpan.

The conventional dustpan includes a tray or pan having a tapered front edge which is adapted to be held against the floor, or other surface, while dirt and debris is swept into the pan. Due to irregularities in the front edge of the dustpan or due to irregularities in the floor surface,'the entire length of the edge will not ordinarily be in bearing engagement with the floor. Moreover, even though the front edge of the pan is tapered, the edge does provide an abutment and during sweeping, dirt will collect against the abutment. The result is that even after the material is swept into the pan, a line or ridge of dirt remains at the location of the front edge. To remove this residual line of dirt, the pan is generally moved back a few inches so that the front edge is spaced from the line and the dirt is again swept into the pan. This procedure is repeated, but regardless of the number of attempts it is not possible with a conventional dustpan to completely remove all of the residual dirt or dust from the surface.

The present invention is directed to a cleaning device or dustpan to be used in cleaning floors or other surfaces and which functions to remove all of the dirt including the residual line of dirt which normally remains after using the conventional dustpan.

The dustpan of the invention includes a tray or pan having a front tapered edge adapted to be held against the surface to be cleaned. Mounted on the under surface of the pan is a resilient foam plastic roller which is spaced from the front edge. The roller is generally parallel to the front edge and preferably extends the entire width of the dustpan. During the sweeping operation the roller functions as a fulcrum so that the pan is tilted about the axis of the roller. The roller cooperates with the pan to enable the front edge of the pan to be positioned at the optimum angle with respect to the floor during the sweepmg operation.

After sweeping is completed and a residual line of dirt or dust remains adjacent the front edge, the pan is moved in a back and forth motion so that the roller will move across the residual line or dirt. Due to both mechanical and electrostatic attraction, the entire residual line of dirt will be collected on the foam roller so that no dirt remains on the surface.

The dustpan of the invention is of simple construction and enables the residual line of dirt to be completely removed from the floor or other surface. As the roller is journaled on the bottom surface of the pan parallel to the front edge, the line of dirt is removed by merely rolling the roller across the line so that the residual line of dirt is removed without the use of any auxiliary equipment or operations.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the course of the following description.

The drawing illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. I is a plan view of the dustpanofthe invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the dustpan of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged bottom view showing the construction of the roller and them mounting arrangement.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation with parts broken away showing the dustpan in position for the sweeping operation; and

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the dustpan used in removing the residual line of dirt from the floor.

The drawings illustrate a dustpan I, to be used for cleaning floors, tables, or other surfaces. The dustpan I includes a bottom wall 2 and a rear wall 3 and sidewalls 4 extend upwardly from the bottom wall 2. A rim or head 5 extends continuously around the upper edges of the sidewalls 4 and rear wall 3, and a handle 6 extends outwardly from the upper edge of the rear wall 3 and is adapted to be grasped by the operator during use of the dustpan.

The bottom wall 2 includes a rear section 7 and a forward section 8 which are located at a slight angle to each other so that the bottom wall has a generally concave configuration. The front edge 9 of the forward section 8 is tapered, as best shown in FIG. 4, and is adapted to be held against the floor 10 during the sweeping operation as shown in FIG. 4.

According to the invention, a roller 11 is mounted for rotation on the undersurface of the bottom wall 2. The roller 11 is located in spaced relation to the front edge 9 and is generally parallel to the front edge. Roller 11 includes a central shaft I2 and one end of the shaft is mounted for rotation within an opening in a mounting bracket 13 secured to the sidewall 4, while a spring-loaded pin I4 is disposed within an axial recess in the opposite end of shaft 12 and is journaled within an opening in a second mounting bracket 13. Pin I4 is biased outwardly by a spring 15 which bears against the inner end of the pin. To prevent displacement of the pin 14 from the recess, an ear or projection 16 extends radially from the pin and rides within a slot I7 formed in the wall of the shaft 12. This construction permits the roller II to rotate freely with respect to the pan and enables the roller to be readily disassembled from the pan by merely depressing pin I4 against the force of spring IS.

The shaft 12 is preferably covered with a layer III of a resilient foam plastic or rubber material, such as polyurethane foam, and has a density generally in the range of 0.5 to 5.0 pounds per cubic foot. As best shown in FIG. 2, the roller extends substantially the entire width of the dustpan and is located beneath the joint between the rear section 7 and forward section 8 of the bottom.

During the sweeping operation, the roller II functions as a fulcrum for the pan 1, so that the pan can be tilted about the axis of the shaft I2. The roller is positioned with respect to the front edge 9 so that when the roller is in engagement with the floor It), as shown in FIG. 4, the front edge will be at the optimum angle for sweeping. With the dustpan in this position. the debris and dirt is swept with a broom, or the like, across the front edge 9 into the pan. If a considerable amount of dirt or debris is being removed, the pan can be tilted or rocked about the roller II so that the material in the pan will fall by gravity toward the rear wall 3. Therefore, the roller 11 functions during the sweeping operation not only to properly position the forward edge 9 at the optimum angle for sweeping but also serves as a fulcrum which aids in moving the debris toward the rear wall of the pan.

Due to the fact that the front edge 9, as well as the floor surface I0, may be somewhat irregular not all of the dirt can be swept into the pan. Furthermore, even though the front edge 9 is tapered, it provides a small abutment so that a portion of the dirt or dust will lodge against the front edge and will not be collected in the pan. Thus, the result is that a residual line or ridge of dirt will remain in the floor I0 after the sweeping operation. To remove this residual line of dirt, indicated by 19 in FIG. 5, the pan is moved in a reciprocating path so that the roller] I moves across the line of dirt 19. Due to the combination of mechanical and electrostatic attraction the entire line I9 of dirt clings, or is attracted to the layer I8 and is thereby removed from the floor 10. By pushing downwardly against the roller as it is being moved across the line of dirt, the dirt is driven into the pores of the foam plastic material which aids in removal.

The dirt which clings to the roller II, will not readily separate from the roller, and the roller can be used many times for removing the residual line of dirt before cleaning. When the foam layer l8 of the roller becomes clogged with dirt, it can be cleaned by depressing pin 14 to remove the pin from engagement with the opening in bracket 13 and the roller can then be rinsed under a faucet.

The present invention provides a simple and inexpensive device which enables the residual line of dirt which normally accompanies the use of a dustpan to be completely removed. As the resilient roller is mounted on the lower surface of the pan and parallel to the front edge of the pan, the line of dirt is removed merely by rolling the roller across the line without the necessity of using any auxiliary equipment or operations.

While the drawings illustrate the roller ll associated with a household type dustpan it is contemplated that the invention can be utilized with other types of cleaning devices, such as dustpans or sweepers having upright handles or table top crumb removers.

I claim:

I. A cleaning device for removing material from a surface, including a pan having a bottom surface and having a front edge adapted to bear against a surface to be cleaned, a rotatable member mounted for rotation on the underside of the bottom surface and disposed generally parallel and in spaced relation to said front edge, the major portion of the material being moved across the edge and into the pan and said rotatable member being rolled over the residual material on said surface to collect and remove said residual material, and a bracket connected to each side edge of the pan, said rotatable member including a shaft journaled within the brackets and including a layer of resilient foam plastic material connected to said shaft.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said rotatable member is spaced a sufficient distance to the rear from said front edge to provide a fulcrum whereby the pan can be tilted about the axis of said rotatable member.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said bottom includes a rear section and a front section with said sections being disposed at an angle to each other to provide the underside of said bottom surface with a generally concave contour, said rotatable member being mounted adjacent the joint between said front section and said rear section.

4. A dustpan for removing material from a surface, comprising a pan having a bottom surface and having a front edge adapted to bear against the surface to be cleaned of the material, and a roller mounted for rotation on the underside of the bottom surface and disposed in generally parallel spaced relation to said front edge, said roller having an outer layer formed of a resilient porous material. said roller providing a fulcrum for rocking movement of the pan during the sweeping operation and said roller being rolled over the residual material on the floor after the sweeping operation with said residual material being attracted and removed from the surface by both mechanical and electrostatic action.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein said outer layer is formed of foam plastic material having a density in the range of 0.5 to 5.0 pounds per cubic foot.

6. The dustpan of claim 4, and including a handle projecting from said pan and extending generally normal to the axis of said roller.

7. The dustpan of claim 6, and including a bracket located on each side edge of the pan, said roller including a central shaft, one end of said shaft being journaled within an opening in one of said brackets. a pin movably mounted within a recess in the opposite end of the shaft with the outer end of the pin being journaled within an opening in the other bracket, and resilient means for biasing the pin outwardly into joumaling engagement with the respective opening. 

1. A cleaning device for removing material from a surface, including a pan having a bottom surface and having a front edge adapted to bear against a surface to be cleaned, a rotatable member mounted for rotation on the underside of the bottom surface and disposed generally parallel and in spaced relation to said front edge, the major portion of the material being moved across the edge and into the pan and said rotatable member being rolled over the residual material on said surface to collect and remove said residual material, and a bracket connected to each side edge of the pan, said rotatable member including a shaft journaled within the brackets and including a layer of resilient foam plastic material connected to said shaft.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said rotatable member is spaced a sufficient distance to the rear from said front edge to provide a fulcrum whereby the pan can be tilted about the axis of said rotatable member.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein said bottom includes a rear section and a front section with said sections being disposed at an angle to each other to provide the underside of said bottom surface with a generally concave contour, said rotatable member being mounted adjacent the joint between said front section and said rear section.
 4. A dustpan for removing material from a surface, comprising a pan having a bottom surface and having a front edge adapted to bear against the surface to be cleaned of the material, and a roller mounted for rotation on the underside of the bottom surface and disposed in generally parallel spaced relation to said front edge, said roller having an outer layer formed of a resilient porous material, said roller providing a fulcrum for rocking movement of the pan during the sweeping operation and said roller being rolled over the residual material on the floor after the sweeping operation with said residual material being attracted and removed from the surface by both mechanical and electrostatic action.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein said outer layer is formed of foam plastic material having a density in the range of 0.5 to 5.0 pounds per cubic foot.
 6. The dustpan of claim 4, and including a handle projecting from said pan and extending generally normal to the axis of said roller.
 7. The dustpan of claim 6, and including a bracket located on each side edge of the pan, said roller including a central shaft, one end of said shaft being journaled within an opening in one of said brackets, a pin movably mounted within a recess in the opposite end of the shaft with the outer end of the pin being journaled within an opening in the other bracket, and resilient means for biasing the pin outwardly into journaling engagement with the respective opening. 